January 16 - Ethel Merman (The Musical Birthday Series, 7th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for January 16th are here: Lin-Manuel Miranda; Marilyn Horne; Brian Ferneyhough (2020), Marilyn Horne (2021), Roger Wagner (2022), Ethel Merman; Willoughby Bertie, 4th Earl of Abingdon (2023), Marilyn Horne (2025), and Niccolò Piccinni (2025)

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Ethel Merman (16 January 1908 – 15 February 1984) was an American actress and singer, known for her distinctive, powerful voice, and for leading roles in musical theater.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Thoughts on the Ethel Merman Disco Album 

 

(1)

You will hear (if you're up to the risk),

That the tempos were bouncy and brisk

When the great Broadway star

Made a bold, but bizarre,

Attempt at a crossover disc.

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(2)

Though disco was ruling the scene

On both of the coasts and between,

It's hard to determine

What made Ethel Merman

Record with a rhythm machine.

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(3)

When standards are sung to the beat

Of a disco track set on repeat,

There wasn't an amp

That could rescue this camp,

And it had to go down to defeat.

 

 

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November 26 - Robert Goulet (The Musical Birthday Series, 7th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for November 26th are here: Tina Turner; Robert Goulet (2019), Earl Wild (2020), Johannes Bach (2021), Robert Goulet (2022), Johannes [Johann] Bach (2023), and Karl Siegmund von Seckendorff; Johannes [Johann] Bach (2024)

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Robert Goulet (26 November 1933 – 30 October 2007) was a baritone singer who was hugely successful on Broadway and recorded numerous hit LPs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Barnyard Sounds

When the baritone Robert Goulet

Appeared in musical play,

The audience found

That his elegant sound

Was never a bark or a bray.

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It Wouldn't Be in Summer

He achieved instant recognition with his performance and interpretation of the song "If Ever I Would Leave You", which became his signature song. — Wikipedia

Did he ever succumb to dismay

That that song had become a cliché?

Did he long to be glib

With a naughty ad lib

In a quite unprofessional way?

 

 

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April 24 - Blanche Ring (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for April 24th may be found here: Barbra Streisand (2019), Barbra Streisand (2020), Giovanni Battista Martini (2021), John Williams (2022), and Johann Philipp Kirnberger (2023)

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Blanche Ring (24 April 1871 – 13 January 1961) was an American singer and actress in Broadway shows and musicals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But You Are, Blanche

In 1902 she made her Broadway debut and  introduced to the public the new song "In the Good Old Summertime." -- Wikipedia

Blanche Ring, who had her big success

   Before the First World War,

Enjoyed her life, without much press,

   For several decades more.

If you don’t know her name, don’t stress,

   Or blame yourself therefóre,

But if you do, then I would guess

   You've seen the vintage score.

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Takes: Great Art Repurposed.] 

 

November 23 - Thomas Attwood; Ruth Etting (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for November 23rd are here: Krzysztof Penderecki (2019), Krzysztof Penderecki, Jerry Bock (2020),  Alfonso X of Castile (The Wise); Krzysztof Penderecki (2021), and Krzysztof Penderecki ; Manuel de Falla (2022)

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Thomas Attwood (23 November 1765 – 24 March 1838) was an English composer and organist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underground Music

 

Attwood's funeral took place at St Paul's Cathedral on 31 March 1838. He is buried in the cathedral, in the crypt, under the organ.  -- Wikipedia

Mozart’s pupil Thomas Attwood

Never wrote an opus that would

    Be a thing posterity recalls.

Though today he is neglected

At his death he was respected,

And his grave can be inspected

    Underneath the organ of St. Paul’s.

 

 

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Ruth Etting (23 November 1896 – 24 September 1978) was an American singer and actress of the 1920s and 1930s, known as "America's sweetheart of song", she had over 60 hit recordings and worked in stage, radio, and film. -- adapted from Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Variations on the Name of Etting

(1)

I can’t be too sure, but I’m betting

That you’re somewhat surprised to be getting,

For better or worse,

A nonsensical verse

On “The Sweetheart of Song” Miss Ruth Etting.

(2)

This blog doesn’t have any vetting,

So I hope that it isn’t upsetting

That the verses found here

Do not mention the career

Of that darling of show biz Ruth Etting.

 

 

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September 7 - Michael Feinstein (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for September 7th are here: Buddy Holly; Gloria Gaynor (2019), François-André Danican Philidor; Arthur Ferrante (2020), and Heinrich Stölzel; Madeleine Dring (2021)

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Michael Feinstein (b. 7 September 1956) is an American singer and pianist,  specializing in standards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Feinstein: An Assessment

Although I admire the way in which Michael Feinstein keeps the Tin Pan Alley flame burning, I have never warmed to him. There is something too smug and self-satisfied about his style. – Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune

I’d agree that his talent is real,

And there’s certainly oodles of zeal,

But the ego and smarm

Overpower the charm

That I’d probably otherwise feel.

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Saving the Great American Songbook

Michael Feinstein has built a dazzling career over the last three decades bringing the music of the Great American songbook to the world…. [H]is work as an educator and archivist define Feinstein as one of the most important musical forces of our time. – michaelfeinstein.com

If you judged from the way he is branded,

You’d think it was he, single-handed,

Who fostered a rally

To save Tin Pan Alley,

Which is, candidly, more than the man did.

 

 

 

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